New Teaching Method Fuels Permian High Students To Excel In School
By: Jenne Anderson
Updated: November 7, 2012
ODESSA-- Nathan Lee is a sophomore at Permian High, with big plans for the future.
"I actually want to go get an engineering degree, either for aerospace or petroleum," said Lee.
To make those dreams a reality, Lee says he needs to do well in school right now, especially in his Algebra I math class.
Mark Williamson teaches Algebra at Permian.
He says in his 4 years of teaching there he's noticed that when students struggle with his subject, they tend to have a hard time in many of their other classes as well.
"If they're taking Algebra I here at Permian, then typically they've had problems with Algebra I somewhere else," explained Williamson. "And often times they have problems academically."
To solve this pattern, Williamson and other faculty members reached out to state leaders, local businesses, and even professional sports teams for their help.
"One of the things I wanted to do was get the kids some recognition that they don't normally get," stated Williamson. "What we did was we contacted some of our sports teams. And in particular, we contacted some of our elected officials."
Williamson says these personal letters from Congressman Mike Conaway, State Senator Kel Seliger, and State Representative Tryon Lewis, are already fueling his students to do better in school.
"There's definitely a design, a determination on the part of the kids to make good decisions, to do good work, to stay away from the trouble which is all around them in society these days," said Williamson.
Meanwhile, Lee says this unique teaching method is exactly what he needs to excel here and achieve his goals.
"It's reassuring to know that I'm doing a good job and I'm being recognized for it," said Lee. "And I'm sure the other students will agree with that."
The letters from elected officials aren't the only things that Williamson has gotten back.
He's also received gifts from professional sports teams that he gives out to students after they get a good grade in his class.
Like Jenne Anderson's page on Facebook!
"I actually want to go get an engineering degree, either for aerospace or petroleum," said Lee.
To make those dreams a reality, Lee says he needs to do well in school right now, especially in his Algebra I math class.
Mark Williamson teaches Algebra at Permian.
He says in his 4 years of teaching there he's noticed that when students struggle with his subject, they tend to have a hard time in many of their other classes as well.
"If they're taking Algebra I here at Permian, then typically they've had problems with Algebra I somewhere else," explained Williamson. "And often times they have problems academically."
To solve this pattern, Williamson and other faculty members reached out to state leaders, local businesses, and even professional sports teams for their help.
"One of the things I wanted to do was get the kids some recognition that they don't normally get," stated Williamson. "What we did was we contacted some of our sports teams. And in particular, we contacted some of our elected officials."
Williamson says these personal letters from Congressman Mike Conaway, State Senator Kel Seliger, and State Representative Tryon Lewis, are already fueling his students to do better in school.
"There's definitely a design, a determination on the part of the kids to make good decisions, to do good work, to stay away from the trouble which is all around them in society these days," said Williamson.
Meanwhile, Lee says this unique teaching method is exactly what he needs to excel here and achieve his goals.
"It's reassuring to know that I'm doing a good job and I'm being recognized for it," said Lee. "And I'm sure the other students will agree with that."
The letters from elected officials aren't the only things that Williamson has gotten back.
He's also received gifts from professional sports teams that he gives out to students after they get a good grade in his class.
Like Jenne Anderson's page on Facebook!
